The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1887-02-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 18th, 1887

W 0ShAGNOAOEt1 OOs AAbd5 ACOs'
Congress is working rather spasmo-
Ideally in these last weeks of its life.
Last week it was industrious, but just
now it is taking its short life easily.
On Wednesday large amount of obit
uary eloquence was expended in the
senate in honor of the late Senator Lo-
gan, and in the house similar eulogistic
speeches were made in honor OF Mr..
Price, the late representative from Wis
consin. These memorial services con-
sumo great deal of time but they are
not business, and it was hoped that the
useless custom would be abrogated be-
fore the end of this session.
The president acknowledges himself
very much worried over the selection
of suitable persons to serve on the inter-
state commerce commission. He saws
nothing has given him more concern
since he came into office, he is so desi-
rOus that the members Of the commits
sion shall be practical men of affairs
and acceptable to the majority of all
parties concerned. It is stated by a
congressman who processes to know
that Col. Morrison has been offered his
choice between the Craftsmanship of the
comm ission and the secrotaryship of the
treasury department. 1t is understood
that the president will not appoint any
member of either the senate or house
who has been elected to the fiftieth
congress.
The whole country applauded when
the president vetoed the disability pen
sion bill, or the pauper pension bill, as
| it is called. Not that it is bill for
paupers, but bill to make paupers
out OF self-supporting citizens. 1t was
not supposed that the bill stood any
chance of passing, even by the dema-
gogues, claim-agents and dead beats
who advocated it, but the desperation
of the men who attitudinize as the SOL
dier's champions was moderated. They
managed to pass this, one of the most
reckless specimens of legislation ever
presented in congress, and thus throw
upon democratic president therespOn-
sibility of standing in its way.
Under such law the pension roll
would be more numerous than the I'M
ion army ever was. The bill virtually
pensions every man who was in the
army, without regard to ability or dis
ability, wealth or poverty, and provides
as well for the sO-called dependent par
ents Of the soldiers who died. 1t pro-
vides a pension for every eX-soldieI
who will say he cannot earn support
And who is to define what support is
Some men require $500 year for a sup
port and others require $4,000. AS
there is no definite meaning to the term
support what is to prevent any man
however extravaganza, from claiming
that the $l2 a month In addition to his
income is necessary to his support?
The bill offers premium to every
man who was in the army to become 6
loafer and depend upon the government
for support. Tens of thousands of mer
do live on SO week, and if the measure
had unfortunately become a law, il
would merely increase the great army
of the unemployed.
AS loud howl of Indignation came
up from the country over the passage
of this universal pension bill as was the
shout of congratulation over the defense
bill passed by the senate few days ago
Just think that after republican admin.
istrat;ons have expended in the last
eighteen years eight times fifty millions
for naval purposes there is nothing to
show for it to-day. Secretary Whit
| ney mas just issued an Oruer tDaC some
of Uncle Sans old hulks be sold. He
mentions eight condemned vessels, such
as are unfit for further service in the
navy, living now at San Francisco, New
York and League Island.
But the country has reason to feel
that practical use will be made of the
money which Congress may now vote
to be spent on the navy. Consequently
when the senate agreed to the sum OF
$2l 100000 for sea-coast defense and
big guns, an echo of applause came back
from every corner of the nation.